Friends of the Columbia Gorge fear the scenic area won’t receive funding from Washington

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The agency tasked with preserving one of the Pacific Northwest’s most famed scenic areas was left out of Washington’s upcoming budget.

The Columbia River Gorge Commission was nowhere to be found in the funding proposal for the state’s 2025-2027 biennium, which was presented by Washington’s House Appropriations Committee on March 27. Conservation advocates sounded the alarm on the potential defunding on Thursday.

“The Columbia River Gorge is one of the most unique, stunning, and ecologically significant landscapes in the country, supporting 13 vibrant communities,” Friends of the Columbia Gorge Conservation Director Renée Tkach said in a statement. “Defunding the Commission would leave these communities and vital conservation efforts without the coordination and oversight that have protected the Gorge for nearly four decades.”

According to the organization, the Gorge Commission has requested a total of $4.4 million from Oregon and Washington — $2.2 million each — for the next biennium. Both parties signed an interstate compact to equally contribute to the preservation of the natural area in 1987.

Friends of the Columbia Gorge claimed that both state budgets were once “closely matched,” but Washington is now violating the agreement. The group also alleged that the potential defunding in Washington could impact Oregon’s allocations for the scenic area as well.

Washington’s House and Senate have until Apr. 27, the end of the legislative session, to finalize the budget. Conservationists are encouraging residents to email their state representatives to push for additional funding for the site.

The U.S. Forest Service estimates that the area sees about two million visitors each year, and holds more than 800 species of wildflowers, 44 species of fish and 200 species of birds.

Friends of the Columbia Gorge said the requested funding would be “an essential investment in managing the largest and most complex National Scenic Area in the country.”